Booking:

It
is recommended that you book well in advance (at least a month or two) ahead
of time. The total amount due will be based on the number of days you wish
to stay with your accommodation being paid in cash on arrival at the village.
It is important to note that there is a limit of twenty visitors to Naiseuseu
at any time so we cannot guarantee that there will be places available if
you are already in Fiji. There is a deposit payable to secure your booking.

Image right: the village of Naiseuseu on Beqa
Island

The initial communication leading up to a firm booking will be made via email
on this web site
(naiseuseu@fiji-bure.com)
or by completing the on-line enquiry form.
Once your confirmation has been received by fijibure.com we will fax or email
you a confirmation booking slip which will provide details of taxi pick-ups
and confirm the dates of your stay.

Accommodation and food costs:

The costs of accommodation, inclusive of meals, at Naiseuseu are well below
budget costs at recognised hotels - namely F$80 per adult per day and F$40
per day for children under 13 years of age. (eg a family of four with two
adults is just F$240 per day inclusive of all meals, washing and (where
applicable) baby sitting). There is a non-refundable, upfront booking
fee.

Clothing:

Basic - thongs, shorts, t-shirts, open necked shirts, traditional Fijian
dress, sarong, be modest while in the village
area. Bring your bikinis but keep them for swimming away from
the village - Fijians are modest and religious (there is a Church in the
village and an excellent choir) and will be offended if scanty clothing is
worn in public in their village. Do NOT wear hats in the village
area during your holidays in Fiji.

The villagers would welcome any second hand
clothes that you bring for distribution among the less-advantaged there.

Health:

If you are on medicine ensure that you have enough supplies to cover the
entire length of your stay at Naiseuseu. The nearest pharmacy is at Suva
- about 90 minutes drive from Naiseuseu. Fijians usually practice traditional
medicine for dealing with their own ailments.

There are also no snakes on Beqa Island, however, it is recommended that
you take some insect deterrent with you to Naiseuseu.

Image right: The generator powering the host's
house

The pure air and water at Naiseuseu Village is cleaner and fresher than anywhere
in the western world. Water is tapped direct from the river springs and can
be drunk without any danger.

Food:

All
food is included in your package. Meals are prepared by the family hosting
you and is normally served in traditional Fijian style on a small cloth on
the floor. Food is eaten after saying grace with knives and forks or with
the hand. The food served includes traditional foods like taro (a type of
potato), dromo dromo (a large asparagus type vegetable), pineapple, guava,
rice, meats, fish etc. Vegetarian meals can be catered for by prior arrangement.

There are three small stores at Naiseuseu.

Water and Electricity:

Many houses in Naiseuseu have outside toilets, all have water tapped directly
from the river that is purer than that you find bottled in stores and showers
for washing hair etc.

The home used by visitors at Naiseuseu has a flush toilet and a cold water
shower.

There is a generator at the home providing 240v power points in the evening.

Image right: The church at Naiseuseu.

Entertainment:

The village entertainment centres around ceremonial Kava drinking sessions
in the community hall.

Activities:

The villagers:

You will find that most of the villagers are inter-related in some way so
be very careful not to inadvertently offend someone by speaking negatively
about another villager who might be related to that person.

The villagers are very religious and have a fantastic choir made up of about
30% of their number. It is a great experience to go to a Sunday service and
listen to the choir and the priest who preaches in Fijian in true evangelical
fashion.

Adventures:

Naiseuseu is located in a natural, unspoilt environment and has many areas
to explore - such as miles of island beaches and small
hills. Alternatively, you can get Ben or one of his family to act as
your guide for a day - there is little of this island that the villagers
do not know.

Image right: the
crystal clear waters off Naiseuseu

There is no shortage of unique adventures for you to plan and enjoy.
Remember to take your digital camera and lots of memory or film -
even if it is just to capture the villagers at play, the rising sun in the
morning and sunset at night over the water, the incredibly bright night sky
or full moon above or the sunsets... consider bringing a notebook computer
so that you can keep downloading pictures. Some visitors have taken over
500 digital images on a three day stay!

The adventures that you will experience and the hospitality that you receive
from the villagers will remain with you forever.

Ben in front of Naiseuseu at low tide

Gifts:

Practical gifts are always welcomed by the villagers and their children but
are entirely optional and not expected. Simple things like a bag of balloons
will bring large smiles to the faces of the village kids, a small bag of
second hand clothes for the children and adults are a winner. There is absolutely
no need to feel that you have to bring gifts - you are not expected to -
but they would be appreciated.

Don't forget to bring 1kg of powdered Kava with you as a ceremonial gift
to be given to the villagers on your arrival.

Children:

The experience of previous visitors to Naiseuseu is that your kids will have
the best holiday of their lives. From the moment you arrive the natural
friendliness and curiosity of the youngsters in the village will entertain
and play with your children. It is highly likely you won't see them most
of the time you are at Namatakula (or outside school hours).

Theft:

Theft is practically unheard of at Naiseuseu. It is recommended that you
do not flaunt your comparative wealth and keep money and valuables in your
luggage in your house at Naiseuseu.